Every year, as soon as Christmas is over, I want to get my closet cleaned out and organized for the new year. Out with the old and in with the new. With a toddler in the house who seems to accumulate new things by the second, I have never taken closet cleaning more seriously. Pieces that would usually survive a purge are being chucked. More and more, I crave calm and less clutter.
Over the past year, as my donate pile seems to grow larger and larger, I have become really conscious of the amount of clothing waste I produce. When I clean out my closet, I always try to first pass those items along to family and friends and then donate the rest. So I am starting to notice the types of pieces that are kept season after season and the ones that are not. Sadly, some pieces are worn once or twice and then pitched. Not only is it a waste of money, but it is just wasteful in general. Most discarded clothing ends up in a landfill or incinerator and most fabrics (especially the cheap synthetic ones which are likely to be thrown away) are not biodegradable, so you can put two and two together. Clothing waste is bad for our wallets and our world. So, in an effort to cut back on mine in 2018, I looked at what was pitched and what was saved in 2017 so I can make better decisions (fashion wise) in 2018.
So, here are some themes I found in the pieces that seem to stick around season after season.
Seasonless items: items like sunglasses, booties, slides, and jeans that can be worn all summer and all winter are winners.
Good quality items: my mom rolls her eyes when I say I am “investing” in a fashion item. But I truly believe that it is worth your while to invest in one quality item as opposed to 5 lesser quality that will not stand the test of time.
Neutral items: neutral pieces that can be worn in countless different ways to create countless outfits.
Accessories: I would rather wear the same boring t-shirt with a pair of jeans every day paired with investment accessories than a new outfit every day.
These are my 17 most loved and worn items in 2017!
